How do doctors first treat a patient who arrives at the hospital experiencing symptoms of DVT?

1. Diagnosis

• Ask patient for medical history
• Physical examine (look for swelling, warmth and redness)
• D-dimer test (reference: <250ng/mL)
• Ultrasound
• If ultrasound was inconclusive then venography
• If venography isn't possible MRI

2. Treatment

Drug administration:

• Unfractionated heparin
• Low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin/Lovenox, dalteparin/Fragmin, or tinzaparin/Innohep)
• Fondaparinux (Arixtra)

Walking/movement